NLIS 3
February 5, 2003
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)
(Health and Community Services)

 

Public information sessions and rabies vaccinations planned for White Bay communities

Public health and animal health officials will visit communities in the White Bay area this week to hold vaccination clinics and public education meetings in a continued effort to help control the spread of rabies on the Northern Peninsula. A wild fox found in Jackson�s Arm on January 25 tested positive for rabies, which is the fourth case of rabies reported in the region in recent weeks. The three other cases were identified near the community of St. Paul�s.

Veterinarians with the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods Animal Health Division will be visiting schools and holding public meetings to inform the general public about potential risks to human health and domestic pets as a result of rabies in the area.

According to Provincial Veterinarian, Dr. Hugh Whitney, public cooperation is integral in helping control the spread of the disease. "The ability of a control program aimed at stopping any further spread of rabies to other locations in the province will require a cooperative effort by the general public to control the activity of domestic pets and report any abnormal behaviour of wild animals such as foxes and coyotes."

The schedule for rabies vaccination clinics and community information sessions is as follows:

Community:        Hampden
Date:                  Thursday, February 6
Time:                  10:00 a.m.
Location:             Hampden Fire Hall
To make an appointment or for further information contact Ruth at (709) 455-4212

Community:         Jackson�s Arm
Date:                   Friday, February 7
Time:                  10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Location:             Jackson�s Arm Recreation Centre
                         
Note:
Vaccination clinic to follow meeting at the Fire Hall
To make an appointment or for further information, contact Carmel at (709) 459-3122

Meanwhile, health officials are again reminding the public to:

1.    Keep domestic animals, such as dogs and cats, under control.
2.    Vaccinate dogs and cats against rabies.
3.    Avoid wild animals, particularly foxes and coyotes.
4.    Report to officials (Conservation Officers, Veterinarians, Police, Public Health 
       officials)  any sightings of strange acting wild or domestic animals.
5.    Wash any bites or other areas of contact with potentially rabid animals immediately 
       with soap and water.
6.    See your family physician immediately for treatment of any animal bites.
7.    Report any bites or other significant contact with potentially rabid animals to public 

       health officials immediately.

More information on this disease can be found on the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods� website at: www.gov.nl.ca//www.gov.nl.ca/agric/her&rab/rabiesfront.htm or contact the following:

Dr. Hugh Whitney
Provincial Veterinarian
Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods
(709) 729-6879

Media contact:
          Sonia Glover, Communications, Forest Resources and Agrifoods, (709) 729- 6183
          Diane Keough, Communications, Health and Community Services, (709) 729-1377

2003 02 05                                        1:00 p.m.


SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement